He fell like a log, and at the same moment one of the sailors shot his companion. Then they dashed against the Belgian sailors, who had been joined by the blacks.
"Give them a volley, lads!" George shouted.
The four sailors fired, as a moment later did the boatmen, and then cutlass in hand rushed upon them.
Just as they reached them Frank arrived. There was but a moment's resistance. Two of the sailors had fallen under the volley, a third was cut down, and the fourth, as well as the blacks, fled towards the village. Here the Obi drum was beating fiercely.
"Load again, lads," Frank shouted. "Two of you come back with me."
He ran with them back to the end hut, but Bertha had now recovered from her first shock.
"Come, darling," he said, "there is not a moment to lose. We must get out of this as soon as we can.
"Come along, Anna.
"Thompson, do you look after her. I will see to Miss Greendale."
Just as they reached the others, a volley was fired from the village by the blacks of Carthew's party, who were armed with muskets. Then they, with thirty other negroes, rushed out with loud shouts.